Day 261: Game Face

Today was another day of roller coaster temperatures for Michal.  Aside from being a little sad and clingy, she doesn't seem to have any symptoms.  Given that her temp was 103.4 this morning, I will probably call the pediatrician in the morning.  


Too bad the Ravens didn't give her much reason to smile.  

Day 260: Day at the Farm

Today was farm day.  In honor of our friend Jennie's birthday, we all met at a local(ish) farm and orchard for some apple picking.  It rained a bit in the morning, so it was a little muddy but definitely not bad enough to keep us away from the most delicious apples ever. We picked a few McIntosh apples, but it was finding this gem that was the highlight of the day.  It's a Mutsu apple, and we LOVED it.  At one point Josh took the apple from me to get another bite or two, and Michal threw an absolute fit and burst into tears.  She really liked it.

 Apple back to its rightful muncher.  Yum yum yum!

We hitched a ride to the orchard on a tractor-towed shuttle.   

Michal ran a slight fever all day - this was a pretty typical face from her.  

Quiet, slightly glassy eyes, and less enthusiastic "Hi!"s than normal.

View on the way back to the market.  Love these green Maryland hills. 

I couldn't resist - there was a Michal-sized gap in the front of these pumpkins. 

It begged for a picture!

We saw this old farm vehicle on the way down to the petting farm. 

 It just looked so perfect there.

Josh and Michal meet a goat.  

Wasn't it nice of the goat (I think this was Jill - Jack had two mean-looking horns - I steered clear of him) to get up onto the bench to be at a Michal-level height?

Such a beautiful pair of turkeys. 

Meeting an alpaca.  Luckily this alpaca was a little friendlier than the ones Michal met at the zoo yesterday.  It does look a little creepy here, just staring at me.

We had such a lovely day, culminating in meeting up with Josh's mom and her friend for dinner.  Unfortunately Michal continued her impersonation of Fussy Butts McGee, but this time with a feverish bent.  Whatever is causing this bit of fun, whether it is teeth or something viral, I hope our regular Michal returns soon!

Day 259: Daddy Day Camp

Michal and Josh spent the day together while I headed to work.  Before I left, Josh asked that I leave the membership card for the National Zoo behind, so after she woke up from her morning nap, off they went into the wilds of Washington DC.  

We wondered how Michal would do at the zoo today.  In the past, it was unclear how much she was able to really appreciate the animals, especially those that were further away.  She had a blast today, especially at the Kids Farm.  The Kids Farm had been threatened to close due to funding decreases from the Federal Government, but apparently funding has been secured to keep this part of the zoo open through 2016.  Thank goodness - maybe by 2016 Michal can get the alpacas' attention.  She kept yelling "HI!" at the poor creatures, who just ignored her.   

Fussy Butts McGee continued to visit us today.  Not even a nifty tiger lunch bag could cheer up the Goose.

Ah, finally, an enclosure with a barrier Michal could see over - the prairie dogs.  You can't really see them in this picture, but they're there.  I promise.  

Josh tells me she blew kisses to the prairie dogs.  Awwwwwww.

And a short video for your viewing pleasure - Michal says hi to cows.

Unfortunately, the cows do not say hi back.

Day 258: ... And It Continues

Our days of Fussy Butts McGee continue.  Naps have been a nightmare, and she has been a general menace.  Michal and I joined Josh and a coworker for lunch, and boy was she a handful in the restaurant.  We've decided to blame teeth.  Tooth #9 is peeking through, and tooth #10 is right at the brink of breaking through the gum.  I wouldn't be surprised if there were twelve other ready to make an appearance.

Michal spent the afternoon with Daddy.  When she wasn't refusing to nap (she screamed for more than half an hour), she wanted to hang out with Josh.  What did she really want to do?  Crawl in and out of his lap, demanding him to read (and, in most cases re-read) some of her favorite books.  Apparently Good Night, Charleston was the favorite of the day, read by Josh at least three times.  When I got home, she found a new lap and reader.

Look at that, it's Good Night, Charleston.  What a surprise!  I think I read it four or five times.  It makes me miss Charleston - I think we need to take a trip!

Day 257: New Tricks

"Hi there!"

Just a few pre-bedtime pictures of the Goose.  She currently has a fascination with her diaper pail - she likes to open the top, peek inside, then attempts to close the lid.  Here she is, peeking around the corner of her dresser to see if I'm paying attention. 

During naked time, Michal crawls all over her room, attacking various puzzles and stuffed animals.  She even randomly picks out books to "read," as she is doing here.  One surprising new thing from tonight - she would open a book, hand it to Josh to read a page, take it back from him, then hand it back to him to read another page.  It was adorable.

I love handing her the toothbrush after I've brushed her teeth.  I really would like for her to start playing with it and to see what she does with it, maybe even putting it in her mouth.  Nope.  She just likes to touch the bristles. 

Don't you love the expression on her face?
"I'll do it, Mama, I'll flush this toilet.  Do you dare me?  Double dog dare me?"

Oh, and holy curls after her bath!  

Day 256: Fussy Butt

This pretty much summed up the day.  

She had moments of cuteness and all, but really, it was this.  

I blame teeth.  I think numbers 9 and 10 (if not more) are coming soon.  We hope.

Day 255: Happy Birthday, Mama!

Today happened to be my birthday, and lucky me, I got to spend it with my favorite girl!  We had a great day hanging out, having lunch with M's Aunt Kylie, and shared a delicious dinner with Josh and the Goose.  Here is a rare Mommy-daughter photo.  She looks like she's smiling, but she's really mid-tantrum.  It's amazing how closely linked those two can seem!  

Taking in some Classical Baby - her much discussed favorite television program.

I love how she sits - ankles crossed, hands in her lap - she comes by this honestly.  

No Momzilla coaching here. 

Thirsty girl today - she was doubling up with a sippy of milk and a sippy of water.